Several years ago, I bought an a "starter telescope" for my kids. All my kids have enjoyed using it.
(Brand: Orion SpaceProbe 3 Altaz)

The ongoing issue I have with it is that when we look at any of the planets, we can only see bright white circles for the planet, and for Jupiter, dots for its moons. There is no color or "definition."

What can I add to it or change in terms of filters or new eyepieces that will show the colors and/or increase magnification?

TIA

Someone with MUCH more knowledge than I will chime in. But you probably won't be able to see more than that with cheaper entry level glass. With a 76mm aperture, you are going to be really limited

Stargazing (like many hobbies) gets expensive really quick.

I would say to try a much better eyepiece first. If you ever go up in performance level with your scope, then you will need a better eyepiece anyway. I would recommend the Pentax XW* line. Two others you could consider are Baader and Tele-Vue. The rabbit hole of telescope eyepieces is way too large to discuss here, but you could take a few weeks and research them when you get the chance.

If a much better eyepiece doesn't give you the view you want, then you are going to have to go up in aperture and overall quality, and even possibly going to a different type of scope. As noted above, this hobby isn't cheap.

C

*please note that Pentax makes two different lines of eyepieces, the XW and the XF. You do not want the XF line.

Have wanted to get a telescope for a while but every time I start to research the rabbit hole gets too deep. Any recs for a good starter telescope that, with a decent eyepiece, will provide what the OP desires?

I bought a reflector type a few years back off of marketplace for about $50. Celestron (I think), want to say around 130mm reflector with replaceable eyepieces that change magnification.

We set it up a while back and were able to see Jupiter and Saturn. Color was there, though it wasn't super rich or bright which is to be expected.

Now the telescope sits more as a decoration in my office at home than anything. Can't remember the last time we set it up. Unless you are really going to use it regularly, don't spend a whole lot of money on it. Find one used to tinker around with so when it starts being a dust collector you aren't out a lot of money up front.

https://a.co/d/byeBx1h

I bought this about 8 years ago with a power adapter for just under $400. Amazon open box. People return telescopes frequently. Added a lunar filter for ~$10.

Works great. I use it a few times a year. Great views on the moon, Jupiter, and Saturn. Colors and rings are clear. You can see the moons.

I like the computer control. Makes it simple to set up, aim and track what you are looking at. Tracking comes in handy when passing off the eyepiece to kids. You'd be surprised how fast things move out of view without adjustment.

The whole thing fits in a duffle bag.

There are better options, but this thing is simple to use with good results for the money.

Find a local astronomy club and go to a viewing. If you contact them first and let them know you are coming they might even bring some of the models in the price range you are shopping for so you can try them out for yourself.

In the BCS area: https://brazosvalleyastronomyclub.org/index.html

Forgot to post this link too: https://brazosvalleyastronomyclub.org/purchasing-your-first-telescope.html

I think we need a telescope sticky thread. Seems like a topic that keeps coming up.

That being said, we're looking for a good quality telescope to take in the RV. Are the Celestron NexStar 6SE and 8SE good candidates, or would we be happier with something simpler?

I think we definitely want the tracker/finder electronics to find objects for us

What you got?